Coronavirus has put the sports world in flux. MLB hopes to play ball in June, while the NBA and NHL are still exploring avenues to finish their interrupted seasons.
The NFL made it through free agency and the draft, but with offseason meetings going virtual, questions abound regarding whether the NFL season can start on time and if fans will be able to attend. Should NFL teams get the green light to practice and play, Jets quarterback Sam Darnold would have no concerns about contracting coronavirus because he trusts the right decisions will be made.
“I think whatever the guidelines are, whenever they determine that it’s safe for us to go back to practice, be in the facilities and play games against our opponents, I think they’re gonna do their due diligence there and make sure that we’re safe coming back,” Darnold told “The Michael Kay Show” on Monday when asked whether he’d be apprehensive about football activities. “As long as we’re allowed to be in the facility and be practicing and be playing games, I’m not gonna be worried about it.”
Darnold, 22, said he’s thought about the possibility of playing without fans altogether or in front of a small crowd.
“They’re part of what makes this sport. The fans are really what makes sports great in general, just the atmosphere that they create in the stadiums,” Darnold said. “Besides that, I think not having fans there, being able to hear the defensive calls, obviously the defense being able to hear my calls pretty loud and clear, it’ll be different to say the least. If that’s the case, there might be a little adjustment period, but everyone’s just gonna have to adapt and get used to it.”